4.5.4 Tracking the Chain of Custody

The following information should be noted when tracking the train of custody of a Sexual Assault Evidence Collection Kit:

  1. The identity of the individual who collected the evidence as well as the date and time that the it was collected;

  2. Any person(s) in possession of evidence at the scene and during transport;

  3. The identity of the person who submitted the evidence as well as the date and time that the it was submitted;

  4. The identity of the custodian of the property/evidence as well as the date and time they received it; and

  5. The identity of any person to whom the evidence was released and from whom it was given as well as the date and time of the exchange.

If there are unique/extraneous items included in the kit they should be:

  1. Described.

  2. Labeled with a unique, number identifier.

  3. Separated from the original evidence if created from analysis or collected at a later date. Documentation should show the linkage between it and the original evidence.

When storing property/evidence in a storage room or other external location(s), the following information should be recorded:

  1. Its location (e.g. shelf number or bin number), and

  2. The identity of the person who stored the evidence as well as the date and time that it was stored.

Systems should have the means to identify items or evidence that have not been returned according to agency policy.